This portion of the NFL offseason is always fun because fans and analysts get to sit back and play a bit of the what if game in all aspects, whether it’s 2024 mock drafts, season-long projections and more.
One of those areas is trade ideas, with a trade moving Chase Young to the Cincinnati Bengals a prime example.
In said idea, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report suggests the Bengals move linebacker Logan Wilson and a fourth-round pick to the Washington Commanders in exchange for Young:
This could be a win-win trade for two teams getting an opportunity to audition young players at positions of need for the future. The Bengals could chip in a middle-round selection in order to pair Young with 2020 first overall pick Joe Burrow and add the player with greater positional value.
It’s obviously a trade proposal that won’t fly, regardless of how much fun Young on the Bengals could be. But that’s the point — it’s safe to think the team will be keeping an eye on Chase, like once he hits free agency after Washington declined his fifth-year option.
Young has missed all but 11 games over the last two seasons, hence Washington not picking up that fifth year. The Bengals would be interested in a flier trade at a low cost or eventually in free agency, though.
But Wilson is one of those untradeable guys on the current roster. He’s super productive, improving every year, handles the communications headset and is eligible for an extension right now alongside the likes of Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins.
Still, mentioning Chase Young and the Bengals is something to keep in the back of the mind as a fun idea over the next year or so, just not at such a high cost.
